August 2008 California Events

COSTA MESA - Orange County Fair Say Cheese. Enjoy one of the most popular urban fairs in the U.S. Pig races are an annual treat, carnival rides, food, fun, and loads of live entertainment and fun for the entire family.  Runs through Aug. 3, 2008 (closed Mondays).  Tickets: $5 - 10, kids under free 5 free. Location: 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA. Call: (714) 708-1500. ocfair.

CLOVERDALE - Cloverdale Sculpture Exhibit. 6th annual event includes an outdoor juried sculpture exhibit in downtown Cloverdale through October 1. Downtown plaza is transformed into a sculpture garden featuring sculptors from across the nation. Location: Cloverdale Plaza, Cloverdale, CA. Cost: Free. Call: (707) 894-4410. cloverdaleartsalliance.org
HALF MOON BAY - Michelle Kiba and the Tiki Tones Band (Ellen Silva & Mimi Hills) will launch the initial release of their CD, "Return to Paradise" with hula dancing and a concert showcase. Their music is a delightful blend of classical Hawaiian, original contemporary and island pop music. Ocean Shore Train Depot, 110 Higgins Canyon Road, Half Moon Bay, CA. Doors open at 3:00 and the show starts at 3:30. Limited seating - reservation recommended. Tickets, call (831) 476-4819. BrownPaperTickets.com

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Surfin' Sundays Concerts. Classic surf bands include Norm and The Surf Rockers, Aqua Sonics, Pollo Del Mar, The Madeira, The Relix and The Surftones. Top surf music with themed vendors offering a unique blend of surf related merchandise celebrate this 12th annual season of music and culture.  Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Pier Plaza, 315 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach CA 92648. Cost: Free.

LAGUNA BEACH - Art-A-Fair festival. 42nd annual art event located in a beautiful garden setting with 125 artists, plus live entertainment, fine food, demonstrations and workshops. This year's theme is "Venetian Carnival."  The event runs through Aug. 31. Location: 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, Calif. Hours: Sun. – Thurs. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. until 10 p.m.Cost: Season pass $3.50 - $7.00; under 12 free. Call: (949) 494-451.  art-a-fair.com

LONG BEACH - Garden Tours at Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site. Held first Sunday through October, guided tours of the lush grounds include information about the history of the gardens as you stroll past the vibrant flowers in bloom and delight in the refreshing citrus fragrances in the restored orchard. Some trees date back to the 1840s when John Temple, owner of the 27,000-acre Rancho from 1844-1866, started the garden. In 1931, renowned landscape architect Ralph Cornell redesigned the gardens for Llewellyn Bixby, Sr. and added more exotic plants and fruit trees. A water tower, a cast iron tallow pot from the 1840s, and an adobe horno are additional features you will explore during your tour. The Rancho is also open Wednesday – Sunday from  1 to 5 p.m. Location: Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site, 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach (One block west of Long Beach Blvd. at San Antonio Drive). Time: 2:30 p.m. Cost: Free; by reservation only. Call: (562) 570-1755.

MT. SHASTA - Mt. Shasta Music Festival Summer Concert Series Presents Tony Furtado. He started playing banjo at age 11, was recognized as a child prodigy, and won a pair of National Bluegrass Banjo Championships as a teen. His 1989 solo debut Swamped revealed his Latin, Cajun, jazz, swing and Celtic influences. Location: Mt. Shasta Resort, 1000 Siskiyou Lake Blvd., Mt. Shasta, CA. Gates: 3:30 PM. Shows: 4:30 PM. All ages. General admission lawn seating. Chairs provided, or bring a blanket, or dance. No coolers please. Cost: $20/person. positiveproductions.net

POWAY - Nannette & Her Hotsy Totsy Boys Jazz. Target Summer Concert in the Park Series is sponsored by the City of Poway, Target Stores, and Marrokal Construction.  Bring a blanket or chair, and a picnic dinner, and head out to Old Poway Park for some great summer fun. The FREE concerts are on Sundays through August 17. Time: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Location: Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. Poway, CA. Call (858) 668-4771. poway.org.

SAN DIEGO -  Concert with Paradis, a Santana cover band. Plaza del Pasado in Old Town hosts free concerts. Time:  4:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Location: Park located at Juan and Calhoun streets inside the Old Town San Diego Historic State Park just outside of Jolly Boy Saloon & Restaurant, San Diego, CA. plazadelpasado.com or call 866-378-2943.

SANTA CRUZ - Dog Show with a Twist. Is your dog the best kisser? A good singer? Have the longest nose? Open to all dogs, the competitions are: Best Dressed, Best Kisser, Best Underbite, Best Name, Longest Nose, Best Trick, Best Singer, Oldest Dog, Biggest Dog, Smallest Dog, Best Smile and Owner/Dog Look-a-Like. “Who’s Doggy are You?” is a contest for couples to see who their dog will choose. Winners will receive prizes. Competitions are $2 each entry. Sign-ups will be at the event. The Swift Street Courtyard merchants will be hosting a Treasure Hunt. Players will collect a token from each participating shop to be entered in a drawing for a basket full of merchandise donated by the merchants. Cecelia Saleme from KADIE (Kids and Dogs Interactive Education) will present her puppet show for kids to help them understand how to approach and interact with dogs. Kelly’s French Bakery and Society Dog are co-sponsors of this event held from Noon to 3pm. Location: Swift Street Courtyard on the Westside, 402 Ingalls Street, Santa Cruz, CA. societydog.com

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